National Two South

Henley Hawks 41

LYDNEY could hardly have made a better start against one of the division's fancied sides.

They took the lead with a try from winger Alex Hall, who collected a pinpoint cross-field kick from Curtis Russell.

Russell added the touchline conversion.

On 13 minutes, Jim McMahon was driven over from a line-out to put Lydney in dreamland.

McMahon, however, was injured in scoring and had to be replaced by Tim Longton.

Shell-shocked Henley used their powerful scrum to get back into the match with a solid 5m shove creating space out wide for Brennan to score.

Russell extended Lydney's lead to 15-5 with a penalty but the home side raised the tempo to control the rest of the match through their big forwards.

Maddocks and Comben touched down to put Henley in front before the break.

Russell missed an inviting penalty just before half-time.

In the second half Lydney showed plenty of spirit in the tackle but were repeatedly pushed back at the scrums. It remains an area of concern for coach Duncan Bell, who was forced to name regular hooker Ben Lewis and novice Rhys Cadogan as his starting props, alongside young hooker Jake Fields.

With a constant supply of ball, the Hawks tried to get their wingers in the game, but they often lacked support.

Payne touched down and a Comben penalty made it 29-15.

Lydney also lost Luke Kell to the sin-bin for killing the ball to prevent a scoring opportunity.

With an extra man, Woodward finished off a Comben break, then Briggs made a swerving run to cross near the posts.

Lydney: Chris Holder, Alex Hall, Josh Innes, Lewis Beer (Luke Kell 56), Kami Nakove, Curtis Russell, Matt Williams, Ben Lewis (Duncan Bell 62), Jake Fields (Sam Fisher 40), Rhys Cadogan, Jim McMahon (Tim Longton 15), Dave Bennett, Peter Butcher (Ryan Hall 56), Matt Taylor (capt), Charlie Daniel.